Chapter 5

44:017:018 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

44:017:019 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

44:017:020 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

44:017:021 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

44:017:022 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

44:017:023 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

44:017:024 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

44:017:025 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

44:017:026 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

44:017:027 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

44:017:028 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

44:017:029 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

44:017:030 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

44:017:031 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

44:017:032 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

44:017:033 So Paul departed from among them.

44:017:034 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

44:018:001 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

44:018:002 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

44:018:003 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

44:018:004 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

44:018:005 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

44:018:006 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

44:018:007 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

44:018:008 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

44:018:009 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

44:018:010 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

44:018:011 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

44:018:012 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

44:018:013 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

44:018:014 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

44:018:015 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

44:018:016 And he drave them from the judgment seat.

44:018:017 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

44:018:018 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

44:018:019 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

44:018:020 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;

44:018:021 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

44:018:022 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

44:018:023 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

44:018:024 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

44:018:025 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

44:018:026 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

44:018:027 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

44:018:028 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

44:019:001 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

44:019:002 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

44:019:003 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

44:019:004 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

44:019:005 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

44:019:006 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

44:019:007 And all the men were about twelve.

44:019:008 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

44:019:009 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

44:019:010 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

44:019:011 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

44:019:012 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

44:019:013 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

44:019:014 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

44:019:015 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

44:019:016 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

44:019:017 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

44:019:018 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

44:019:019 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

44:019:020 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

44:019:021 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

44:019:022 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

44:019:023 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

44:019:024 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

44:019:025 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

44:019:026 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

44:019:027 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

44:019:028 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

44:019:029 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

44:019:030 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

44:019:031 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

44:019:032 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

44:019:033 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

44:019:034 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

44:019:035 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

44:019:036 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

44:019:037 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

44:019:038 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

44:019:039 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

44:019:040 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

44:019:041 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

44:020:001 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

44:020:002 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

44:020:003 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

44:020:004 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

44:020:005 These going before tarried for us at Troas.

44:020:006 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

44:020:007 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

44:020:008 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

44:020:009 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

44:020:010 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.

44:020:011 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

44:020:012 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

44:020:013 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.

44:020:014 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.

44:020:015 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.

44:020:016 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

44:020:017 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

44:020:018 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,

44:020:019 Serving the LORD with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

44:020:020 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

44:020:021 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

44:020:022 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

44:020:023 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

44:020:024 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

44:020:025 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

44:020:026 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

44:020:027 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

44:020:028 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

44:020:029 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

44:020:030 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

44:020:031 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

44:020:032 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

44:020:033 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

44:020:034 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

44:020:035 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

44:020:036 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

44:020:037 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

44:020:038 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

44:021:001 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

44:021:002 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

44:021:003 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

44:021:004 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

44:021:005 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

44:021:006 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.

44:021:007 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

44:021:008 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

44:021:009 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

44:021:010 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

44:021:011 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

44:021:012 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

44:021:013 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

44:021:014 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

44:021:015 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.

44:021:016 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

44:021:017 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

44:021:018 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

44:021:019 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

44:021:020 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

44:021:021 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

44:021:022 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

44:021:023 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;

44:021:024 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

44:021:025 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.